Melbourne Airport Begins Major International Terminal Expansion

Melbourne Airport (MEL) has announced a significant, privately funded expansion of its international terminal to accommodate record passenger growth and enhance operational capacity. The project will add five new aircraft stands, larger check-in and baggage claim areas, and is designed to support the airport's continued growth, which saw a new record of 1.26 million international passengers processed in January.

The development aims to provide airlines with greater flexibility in scheduling flights and opening new routes. According to a statement from the airport, the expansion will increase airfield and terminal capacity, giving both consumers and exporters more choice. The investment is part of a broader strategy to ensure the airport can meet projected demand, which is expected to reach over 76 million passengers annually by 2042.

“As Melbourne grows, demand for air travel is growing too and we are investing billions of dollars to deliver the infrastructure we need to accommodate that,” said Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus. “Increased capacity on our airfield and terminals will allow airlines to schedule more flights to more places, which will give consumers and exporters more choice.”

Project Scope and Timeline

The multi-year expansion program will be delivered in stages to minimize disruption to the airport's 24/7 operations. Key features include the construction of five new aircraft stands capable of accommodating either five widebody or eight narrowbody aircraft. This flexibility is crucial for handling a diverse range of international services. The project also entails enlarging the international check-in and baggage claim halls to improve passenger flow and reduce congestion.

Preliminary work on the first stage is scheduled to begin in September, following the opening of new pick-up and drop-off zones in the T123 Transport Hub (Terminals 1, 2, and 3 Transport Hub). This new road network is a critical enabler for the larger terminal construction. Due to the complexities of building within a live airport environment, the full expansion will be completed over several years.

This terminal project coincides with the airport's plan for a third runway, which is currently scheduled to open in 2031. Ms. Argus noted that while the new infrastructure provides much-needed capacity, it is

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